System and method of peer-to-peer, paired, and synchronized nodes

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides for a method of pairing wireless devices as well as wireless devices employing the pairing methodology. The wireless devices each possess individual identifiers. The individual identifiers comprise a 64 bit number. Each device also possesses a number of selection indicator identifiers. The selection indicator identifier is a preferably a color comprising a 24 bit number. The individual identifier and selection indicator identifier are combined using a hash function to create a 32 bit hash group identification. A simultaneous holding of buttons on the wireless devices creates the pairing between the devices and stores the 32 bit hash group identification in the device&#39;s memory. When two unpaired devices sharing a group identification number are brought within a predetermined proximity to one another, the devices automatically pair.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/208,341filed on Mar. 13, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Application61/778,902 filed on Mar. 13, 2013, U.S. Application 61/909,542 filed onNov. 27, 2013, and U.S. Application 61/940,701 filed on Feb. 17, 2014,the contents of all of which are fully incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and a system of pairing andsynchronizing a number of wireless devices, namely using distinct andcommon identifiers between the wireless devices to achieve such apairing and subsequent synchronization. In particular, using hashfunctions to create a group of wireless devices that permits automaticpairing with another wireless device possessing the same identifier asthe group.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wireless technology permits different devices to communicate withoutbeing hard wired to one another. Most notably, this ability hasmanifested itself in wireless internet and other data communicationssystems. Presently, there are a number of different wireless protocolstacks including Bluetooth®, ANT, Wi-Fi, and ZigBee which all operate inthe 2.4 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band of the radiofrequency spectrum. The ISM bands were typically reserved forindustrial, scientific, and medical purposes (i.e. nontelecommunication). However, in recent years there has been a largenumber of short range, low power communication systems existing withinthose bands.

The methodology by which wireless devices communicate can vary by deviceor by type of communication. For example, Bluetooth® enabled devices canpair by either legacy pairing (requiring the same PIN from each device)or secure simple pairing (a form of public key cryptography). This iscommonly seen when pairing a wireless Bluetooth® enabled headset orkeyboard to a Bluetooth® enabled smart phone or tablet. The prevalenceof wireless communication in today's society brings about many nichemarkets for its use and exploitation. However, many wirelesscommunication methods have shortcomings with relation to securityconcerns and various functionalities. Additionally, there is a need fora wireless pairing that enables downstream communication automatically,without user inputs. Such a wireless pairing system can be used tocreate large wireless groups in a short amount of time that share acommon bond. Further, this interaction can be expanded upon by providingdevices capable of synchronizing certain outputs and further interactingwith one another within a similar short amount of time.

Review of Related Technology:

U.S. Pat. No. 8,437,474 discloses a system comprised of a user and agroup, wherein the group is comprised of a group leader and a group of Mmembers where M is equal to or greater than one. The group leadergenerates a group public key and a group leader “master” private key.The group leader creates a personalized watermarked or decryption key,also referred to as an individual private key, for each group member.The individual private key uniquely identifies each group member. Thegroup leader distributes the individual private keys to each of thegroup members. Each group member receives from a user a messageencrypted using the group public key. Each of the group members uses itsindividual private key to decrypt the encrypted message sent by the userto the group.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,325,020 discloses methods and apparatus for uniquelyidentifying wireless devices in close physical proximity. When twowireless devices are brought into close proximity, one of the devicesdisplays an optical indicator, such as a light pattern. This device thensends messages to other devices which are within wireless range to causethem to use any light sensor to detect a signal. In an embodiment, thelight sensor is a camera and the detected signal is an image captured bythe camera. Each device then sends data identifying what was detectedback to the device displaying the pattern. By analyzing this data, thefirst device can determine which other device detected the indicatorthat it displayed and therefore determine that this device is withinclose physical proximity. In an example, the first device is aninteractive surface arranged to identify the wireless addresses ofdevices which are placed on the surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,219,135 discloses a method for establishing acommunication network that connects a group or community of users usingwireless equipments according to their defined interests. Theseequipments are preferentially portable, low cost, and user-friendly,where each equipment must be configurable using its user's profile,which contains a small amount of the user's personal data, namely theminiprofile. The method uses a collection of such miniprofiles totransparently set a communication network among the associate users toestablish a virtual community. In addition, each profile will containfurther information on user's interests, which the method will propagateacross the communication network to the established virtual community ina way that their members will be able to form groups based on commoninterests while allowing for interaction among their members. The userprofile can be set identifiable or anonymous, may or not be shareable inrelation to the other members of a group. The method is distributed, andsupports spontaneous and volatile communication networks,preferentially.

Various devices are known in the art. However, their structure and meansof operation are substantially different from the present disclosure.The devices typically require the input of a variety of data includingpersonal information. The related devices also use inferior methodologysuch as cameras, which may pose security issues. The other inventionsalso fail to solve all the problems taught by the present disclosure.The current disclosure provides for automatic downstream pairing fordevices sharing common data identifiers and methods to synchronizedevice outputs. At least one embodiment of this invention is presentedin the drawings below and will be described in more detail herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure describes and teaches a method of pairing twowireless devices having the steps of: providing a first and a secondwireless device each comprising, an input channel, an output channel, adata processing unit, a non-volatile memory; and an individualidentifier, the individual identifier being a unique alpha-numericmessage; matching an output channel message associated with the firstwireless device to the output channel message associated with the secondwireless device, the matching comprising, inputting a first inputmessage to the first wireless device, thereby associating a next one ofa set of output messages with the output channel of the first wirelessdevice, inputting the first input message to the second wireless devicethereby associating the next one of the set of output messages with theoutput channel of the second wireless device, and repeating the step ofinputting the first input message on the second wireless device untilthe message associated with the output channel of the second wirelessdevice matches the message associated with the output channel of thefirst wireless device; generating a group identifier, the generatingcomprising, inputting a second input message to both the first and thesecond wireless devices while the first and second wireless devices areoperative and within communications range, thereby causing the first andsecond individual identifiers and the matched output message to beoperated on by a hash function, operative on the data processing unit ofeach of the wireless devices, to generate the group identifier; andstoring the group identifier in the non-volatile memory of both thefirst and second wireless devices, thereby pairing the two wirelessdevices.

The wireless devices may operate off any number of wireless protocols,including but not limited to, Wi-Fi, ANT, ZigBee, Bluetooth®, and radiofrequency identification (RFID) or any combination thereof. In order topair the wireless devices, at least one and preferably two depressiblebuttons are held for at least two seconds. This provides the deviceswith sufficient time to receive the other's signal and perform thecalculations necessary to pair the devices. Each of the devices has anindividual identifier which manifests in a 64 bit number. This 64 bitnumber is combined with a 24 bit number stemming from the output of thewireless devices. By way of either a FNV or FNV-1a hash function, a 32bit hash is calculated using the 64 bit and 24 bit numbers. This hash isreferred to as the group identification or group ID. The group ID isstored internally in the device's non-volatile memory.

In another aspect of the invention, there is a wireless device having anexternal housing; a microcontroller; a radio transceiver; light emittingdiode drivers operably connected to the microcontroller; a color/selectbutton; a join/mode button; and wherein the microcontroller and LEDdrivers are all contained within the external housing; and wherein thecolor/select button and join/mode button are depressible buttons. Thewireless device further has at least one red, green, blue (RGB) lightemitting diodes (LEDs), a power source, a battery charger, and a microuniversal serial bus (USB) jack. The device preferably operates in the900 MHz radio frequency band, but as this is for convenience purposes, anumber of other bands may be employed with equal results. The device ispowered by a battery and preferably a lithium polymer battery. Thedevice is switched between operational states using a slidable on/offswitch. The microcontroller has preinstalled firmware that creates a 32bit hash for wireless pairing in accordance with the methodologydescribed above. The wireless device may take virtually any form and maybe integrated into items of function as a stand alone system.

In another embodiment, there is a wireless device having an externalhousing having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sidesurface; a coupling mechanism extending from the external housing; anembedded display in the external housing; a microcontroller; a radiotransceiver operably connected to the microcontroller; at least onelight emitting diode driver operably connected to the microcontroller;at least two depressible buttons operably connected to themicrocontroller; and wherein the microcontroller and the at least oneLED driver are contained within the external housing.

In general, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following,and others not mentioned, benefits and objectives.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for pairingwireless devices.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method forautomatic downstream pairing of wireless devices.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method using hashfunctions to create a specific group identification.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method ofsynchronizing wireless devices using visual, auditory, or tactileresponses.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless devicethat automatically detects other similarly situated devices within apredetermined proximity.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless devicethat changes the output in response to being proximally located toanother wireless device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless deviceand associated method that can create communicative groups of wirelessdevices in a short amount of time.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of pairingwireless devices that further permits for a synchronization of deviceoutputs.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a social, gamingdevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the components of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a default operational mode of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the join mode of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the process to sync to a new group.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the process to sync an existinggroup.

FIG. 6 is a table demonstrating the layout of the EEPROM tableassociated with the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7B is a bottom view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the general methodology of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the variousfigures are identified, as far as possible, with the same referencenumerals. Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of thepresent invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanationof the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto.In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon readingthe present specification and viewing the present drawings that variousmodifications and variations can be made thereto without deviating fromthe innovative concepts of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is a block diagram for the components of anembodiment of the present invention. There is a an embedded display 5which is preferably a liquid crystal display (LCD), radio transceiver20, join/mode button 10, color/select button 15, microcontroller 25, LEDdrivers 30, at least one light emitting diode (LED) 35, battery charger40, micro universal serial bus (USB) jack 45, a battery 50, radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag and/or received signal strengthindicator (RSSI) 55. The radio transceiver 20 may, for instance, operatein the 900 MHz radio frequency band. This band typically operatesthrough a range of 902-928 MHz. The radio transceiver 20 may broadcast asignal continuously unless otherwise directed. A transceiver may bothbroadcast and receive radio frequency (RF) signals. The radiotransceiver 20 may generally operate in a broadcast mode, where everyreceiver can receive the data from another transmitter. It may alsooperate in a low-power standby mode. This may help to lengthen the lifeof the battery 50 between charges and may reduce interference from anabundance of devices operating in a contained area. The battery 50 ispreferably a lithium polymer battery. A number of other rechargeablebatteries could also be used including, but not limited to, lead-acid,nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, and lithium ion. Additionally,non-chargeable batteries may be used. The microcontroller 20 ispreferably an 8-bit microcontroller with at least one kilobyte ofnon-volatile data storage. This data storage may provide for the storageof all of the wireless device's parameters. The microcontroller 20 mayadditionally have multiple, preferably three, pulse width modulationoutputs. These may enable the device to vary the color output of thelight emitting diode (LED). The microcontroller 20 may have a minimum2.7V operational voltage and may also have a low-power standby mode.

Two depressible buttons may be connected to the microcontroller 25.These buttons, a “color/select” button 15 and a “join/mode” button 10,may cycle through various options associated with a wireless device. Thebuttons 10, 15 may be used singularly or may have certain functionalitywhen used in conjunction. The micro USB jack 45 may allow for connectingthe wireless device to an outside source such as, but not limited to, alaptop or electrical outlet. Depending on the connection source, themicro USB jack 45 may draw voltage to charge the battery 50 by way ofthe battery charger 40. Additionally, an increased voltage may bedirected towards the LED driver 30. The LED driver 30 may provide aconstant current source to the LED 35. The LED 35 may have red, green,blue capabilities, which when combined with the three power wavemodulation outputs from the microcontroller 25, may create various lightintensities and colors. The LED(s) 35 may be represented by a 24 bitnumber that is comprised of 8 bits of red, 8 bits of green, and 8 bitsof blue. This can create an extensive list of colors, however, forpractical purposes, there may only be seven (7) colors available to thewireless devices. The LED(s) 35 provide for most of the colors of thevisible spectrum, including, but not limited to, red, orange, yellow,green, blue, violet, and pink, or some combination thereof.

There is preferably a liquid crystal display (LCD) 5 in operableconnection with the microcontroller 25. The LCD 5 is embedded in thewireless device and is capable of producing images, animations, andcolors. Using the buttons 10, 15 one may be able to navigate a menuthrough the LCD 5 to select varying modes, settings, and the like. TheLCD 5 may vary in size and may comprise a substantial portion of thewireless device. The LCD 5 may be backlit with the LEDs 35 that permitthe LCD 5 to vary in color as desired or to vary for devicefunctionality. The RFID/RSSI 55 feature enables the wireless devices tosense when another device employing the same technology is within apredetermined proximity. This ability facilitates the interactionbetween the wireless devices. Preferably RFID 55 is used as it has amore extensive range than RSSI, however, the two may be used inconjunction or the RSSI may be used only. Thus, as multiple wirelessdevices are interacting with one another, the devices will be able tosense the presence of and proximity to another device by employing atleast one of the above technologies.

Referring to FIG. 2, the wireless device may initially be in a defaultmode 105 in which the device may be passively broadcasting a signal. Inthis default mode, the wireless device may, for instance, broadcast aradio frequency protocol that may be capable of being received by anyother receiver configured in accordance with the present invention thatis located within a predefined distance. In default mode 105, thejoin/mode button 10 and the color/select button 15 may be held for anyamount of time, but in order to edit the data in the stored tables, thebuttons may need to be depressed for at least two seconds 110. If thecurrent color is in the table 155, and both buttons are depressed formore than two seconds, then any group associated with the current colormay be deleted 115. As an indicator that this has occurred, the currentcolor may blink a number of times, preferably four, to signify to theuser that the groups that were associated with the current color mayindeed have been deleted from the table. If the color is not currentlystored in a table, i.e., the current color is not currently associatedwith a group, the current color may blink a number of times in the rangeof about two to ten and preferably blink six times 160. From box 115 or160, the wireless device will thereafter send a broadcast messageapproximately every four seconds. If the join/mode button 10 and thecolor/select button 15 are not held together for at least two seconds,no action may need to be taken by the device.

The color/select button 15 may be depressed individually as shown in box120. When the color/select button 15 is depressed, the wireless devicemay display the current (active) color, as indicated in box 125. If thecolor/select button 15 is held down for a length of time that ispreferably at least one second, the wireless device may cycle to thenext color in a predetermined sequence of colors. The wireless devicemay then begin sending a current groups message. This may be repeatedperiodically, preferably at time intervals of approximately four seconds150.

If the color/select button has not pressed in step 120, the device maythen proceed to step 120 and check if the “join/mode” button 10 has beendepressed and released. If the “join/mode” button 10 is depressed instep 130, a user may then enter the Join Mode in step 135. The actionsthat may then be taken are shown in FIG. 3 and are discussed in detailbelow.

The device, while broadcasting a signal, may also receive a signal atanytime. At step 140, the device may check to see if a received signalhas a group ID that matches a group ID that may be stored in the Tableof group IDs.

If a received signal with a group ID that matches an ID in the Table islocated, then the device may proceed to step 145 and may blink the coloror colors associated with that group ID using the LEDs. If more than onegroup ID is matched, the colors may be displayed sequentially on the LED35.

In some instances, there may be many wireless devices within radiofrequency range of on another. To minimize radio frequency interferencethe RF frame may include a time to live (TTL) byte. The TTL byte may,for instance, be reduced with each rebroadcast of the same group ID,until the value may reach zero. A signal with a TTL value of zero maynot be rebroadcast. Thus, after a short amount of time only unique groupIDs or group IDs that have a non-zero TTL byte may continue to bebroadcast.

Alternatively, if there no match is found in step 140, then the devicemay proceed to step 150 and continue to send a signal that may contain acurrent group's message. This message may be repeated at a fixed timeinterval that is approximately four seconds.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is a flow chart demonstrating the devicefunctionality and logic within a preferred embodiment of the join mode205. In order to enter the “join mode,” the join/mode button 10 may needto be pressed and released. In an alternative embodiment, simply holdingthe join/mode button 10 may suffice.

Once the wireless device is in join mode 205, it may receive a messagefrom a second wireless device.

Once the wireless device 100 has entered the join mode 205, the devicemay, in step 210, determine if the current color is indicative of anexisting group or if it represents an attempt to form a new group.

If the current color, i.e., the one the user has chosen the device to beflashing when they entered the join mode, is indicative of an existinggroup that the user belongs to, then the current color will already beassociated with a group ID. This association may, for instance, bestored on the user's wireless device 100 in a memory such as, but notlimited to, a non-volatile memory in an associated EPROM device.

If the current color is indicative of an existing group, the wirelessdevice 100 may then, in step 215, transmit a request for others to syncto an existing group. This existing group request may, for instance,include information such as, but not limited to, the current color andthe fact that it is a request to join an existing group.

If, however, the current color is indicative of a new group, thewireless device 100 may then, instead, proceed to step 220, and maytransmit a request for others to form, and sync to, a new group. Thisnew group request may, for instance, include information such as, butnot limited to, the current color and the fact that it is new group thatis being attempted to be formed.

Having sent synch requests, the wireless device 100 may then proceed tostep 225 and determine if it has received any sync requests from anyother devices.

If no sync requests have been received, the wireless device may thenproceed to step 230 to check if the device has been in the Join Mode formore than a predetermined time. In a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, that predetermined mode is set at 10 seconds, though inalternate embodiments the predetermined mode may, for instance, be atime in a range from 5 to 15 seconds, or even in a range from 1 to 20seconds.

If the preset time has not been equaled or exceeded, the wireless device100 may return to step 210 and on to either of steps 215 or 220 in whichthe wireless device 100 may send a further appropriate “request tosynch.” The wireless device 100 may be configured such that furtherrequests to synch are only sent a preset time after a previous requestto synch. This predetermined delay of the next sync request may, forinstance, help limit the amount of signal traffic in a local wirelessenvironment. In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined delay is suchthat requests are only sent every 500 ms. One of ordinary skill in theart will, however, appreciate that this time may be varied dependent onthe circumstances in which the device is to be used, and may, forinstance, be as little as 1 ms or as long as 1 sec. There may also becircumstances in which even shorter or even longer predetermined delaysare appropriate.

If, however, a synch request from another device is detected as havingbeen received in step 225, then the wireless device 100 may proceed tostep 240 and determine if the color associated with the received syncrequest matches the current color of the receiving wireless device.

If the colors don't match, the device may proceed to step 230 to checkif the predetermined time that it is allowed to be in join mode haselapsed. If this time has elapsed, the device may proceed to step 235and return to a default mode.

If the time has not elapsed, the device may return to step 210 andrepeat the loop of sending sync requests and checking to see if synchrequests have been received.

If, however, the colors do match in step 240, i.e., the color associatedwith the received synch request matches the current color that theuser's wireless device 100 is set to, then the wireless device 100 mayproceed to step 245.

In step 245, the wireless device 100 may determine if the receivedrequest is one that is intended to form a new group or not. A receivedrequest to form a new group may, for instance, be indicative of thecurrent color not being associated with a group ID on the sender'sdevice. This may, for instance, mean that the current color is notlisted in the sender's EEPROM, or other, associated storage device, asbeing associated with a group ID.

If the received request is a request to form a new associated with thecurrent color, then the wireless device 100 may proceed to step 250 andmay follow the steps required in the Sync to New Group Flowchart. Havingcompleted these steps, the wireless device 100 may proceed to step 235and return to being in the default mode.

If, in step 255, it is determined that the received request is a requestto join an existing group that may be identified by the current color,then the wireless device 100 may proceed to step 260 and may follow thesteps required in the Synch to an Existing Group flowchart.

On completing the steps in the Synch to an Existing Group flowchart, thewireless device 100 may then proceed to step 235 and return to being ina default mode.

If in step 255, the request to sync is not one to join an existinggroup, the wireless device 100 may then proceed to step 230 to determineif a pre-set time in Join mode has been equaled or exceeded. Followingthis path may, for instance, be indicative of the received message tosync having an error that may, for instance, be attributable totransmission noise, or some other defect in the message.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the process to sync to a new group.

Having reached step 305 “Sync to a New Group” via one or more of thepaths detailed above, the wireless device 100 may then proceed to step310. In step 310, the receiving device may attempt to determine if thecurrent color selected by the two devices is indicative of a group towhich the receiving device already belongs. This may, for instance,accomplished by looking to see if the current color has already beenassociated with a group.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a status table mayexist in a non-volatile memory associated with the wireless device 100.This status table may, for instance, record the colors that areassociated with groups, along with associated information or parameterssuch as, but not limited to, the group ID the color is associated with.

If in step 310, the receiving wireless device 100 determines that italready belongs to a group associated with this color, the device mayproceed to step 315 and acknowledge that the device is a member of agroup associated with the current color.

This acknowledgement may, for instance, take the form of using the LEDdisplay to blink on the current color a predetermined number of times.In a preferred embodiment, acknowledgement that the receiving wirelessdevice already belongs to a group associated with the current color maybe accomplished by blinking the current color a set number of times suchas, but not limited to, 2 times.

If however, the receiving device determines in step 310 by, forinstance, examining the status table, that it is not a member of a groupidentified by the current color, then the device may proceed to step 320and calculate a new Group ID. This new Group ID may, for instance, beformed using one or more numbers that may be associated with the devicessuch as, but not limited to, the unique identifiers of the devicesattempting to form a new group, their serial numbers, a numberassociated with the current color or some combination thereof. Theseunique identifiers may, for instance, be hashed to obtain a Group ID.

In a preferred embodiment, the new Group ID may be formed using awell-known hash function such as, but not limited to, one of thevariants of the Fowler-Noll-Vo hash function. The group ID may, forinstance, be created by employing the FNV-1a hash function to combinethe individual identifiers from each of the wireless devices, along withan identifier associated with the common, current color displayed by thedevices. This may, for instance, be accomplished by taking individualidentifiers, each of which may be a 64-bit number, the color selectionidentifier which may be a 24-bit number, and hashing them to return aunique hash that may be a 32-bit number. This hash may function as thenew Group ID.

Having calculated the new Group ID in step 320, the receiving wirelessdevice may then proceed to step 310 to determine if this new Group IDhas already been calculated. In a preferred embodiment, this may, forinstance, be accomplished by examining the status, or EEPROM table, thatmay be stored in a non-volatile memory under the control of the EEPROM.If the newly created Group ID is already in the status table, the devicemay then proceed to step 330 and acknowledge that this new Group ID hasbeen previously calculated.

This path may be included because of the possibility of non-synchronizedexecution of one or more steps by one or more of the devices. This checkmay, therefore, be necessary because of the strict peer-to-peer natureof the devices. Unlike most networks, even some that claim to bepeer-to-peer, there is no single device that may be in charge. All theinteractions may be accomplished by all the devices. This strictpeer-to-peer networking may be a unique feature of this mode ofnetworking.

This acknowledgement may, for instance, take the form of using the LEDdisplay to blink on the current color a predetermined number of times.In a preferred embodiment, acknowledgement that the new Group ID hasalready been calculated may be accomplished by blinking the currentcolor a set number of times such as, but not limited to, 3 times.

If the new Group ID was not previously calculated, the device may thenproceed to step 340 and store the Group ID and relevant associatedparameters. These may, for instance, be stored in non-volatile memoryassociated with the device, and preferably in a readily accessibletabular format.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the new group ID andthe associated color may be stored in the non-volatile memory as part ofthe EEPROM table. In one embodiment of the present invention, thewireless devices may provide for up to sixteen (16) groups ID/colorpairs to be stored in the non-volatile memory. One of ordinary skill inthe art will, however, appreciate that depending on the exact technicalspecifications of the wireless devices many more pairs may easily bestored.

Addition data that may be stored are associated parameters such as, butnot limited to, a distance (DIST) of the group ID. The DIST may, forinstance, refer to an order in which wireless devices were added to aparticular group ID. A DIST of 1 may be assigned to the wires devicesthat first form a new group ID. Then next wireless device to join maythen be assigned a DIST of 2. The DIST values are preferably one bytenumbers and they may, therefore, range from 1 to about 255. A DIST of 0may be reserved for operations such as, but not limited to, testingdevices.

Once the Group ID and relevant associated parameters have been stored ina non-volatile memory, the device may proceed to step 350 andacknowledge storing the group ID.

This acknowledgement may, for instance, take the form of using the LEDdisplay to blink on the current color a predetermined number of times.In a preferred embodiment, acknowledgement that the new Group ID andrelevant associated parameters have been stored may be accomplished byblinking the current color a set number of times such as, but notlimited to, once.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the process to sync an existinggroup.

Having reached step 405 “Sync to existing group” by one of the pathsdetailed above, the wireless device 100 may respond to the request tosync to an existing group by proceeding to step 410 and determiningwhether or not the receiving device already belongs to the group it isbeing asked to join.

One of the elements in a request to sync to an existing group messagemay be the Group ID of that existing group. In order to determine if italready belongs to this group, the receiving device may access anon-volatile memory to check if this Group ID has already been recordedand associated with the current color.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a status table mayexist in a non-volatile memory associated with the wireless device 100.This status table may, for instance, record the group IDs the device isassociated with, along with associated information or parameters suchas, but not limited to, the color the Group ID is associated with.

If, in step 410, the device determines that it does not already belongto the group it is being requested to join, the device may proceed tostep 415 and store the Group ID and associated parameters. This may beaccomplished as described above.

Having stored the relevant data, the device may proceed to step 420 andacknowledge storing the Group ID. As detailed above, thisacknowledgement may, for instance, take the form of using the LEDdisplay to blink on the current color a predetermined number of times.In a preferred embodiment, acknowledgement that the new Group ID andrelevant associated parameters have been stored may be accomplished byblinking the current color a set number of times such as, but notlimited to, once.

If, in step 410, the device determines that it does belong to the groupit is being requested to join, the device may proceed to step 425 anddetermine if the device already belongs to another group that uses thecurrent color.

This path may be included because of the possibility of non-synchronizedexecution of one or more steps by one or more of the devices. This checkmay, therefore, be necessary because of the strict peer-to-peer natureof the devices. Unlike most networks, even some that claim to bepeer-to-peer, there is no single device that may be in charge. All theinteractions may be accomplished by all the devices. This strictpeer-to-peer networking may be a unique feature of this mode ofnetworking.

If in step 425, the device determines that it does not already belong toanother group that uses this color, the device may proceed to step 430and acknowledge that it already belongs to the group asking it to join.This acknowledgement may, for instance, take the form of using the LEDdisplay to blink on the current color a predetermined number of times.In a preferred embodiment, acknowledgement that the receiving devicealready belongs to the group asking it to join may be accomplished byblinking the current color a set number of times such as, but notlimited to, three times.

The wireless device may then proceed to step 360 and to the end of thesync to an existing group set of steps.

If, however, in step 425, the wireless device 100 determines that itdoes already belong to another group that uses the current color, thedevice may then proceed to step 435 and acknowledge that the receivingdevice already belongs to another group that uses the current color.This acknowledgement may, for instance, take the form of using the LEDdisplay to blink on the current color a predetermined number of times.In a preferred embodiment, acknowledgement that the receiving devicethat the receiving device already belong to another group that uses thecurrent color may be accomplished by blinking the current color a setnumber of times such as, but not limited to, two times. The wirelessdevice may then proceed to step 360 and to the end of the sync to anexisting group set of steps.

The foregoing discussion has all been in terms of “colors”. One ofordinary skill in the art will, however, appreciate that such colors mayact as proxies for other digital files such as, but not limited to,audio files that may contain songs, chants, phrases, slogans, images, orvideo clips; or may instead be actual digital files, or portionsthereof, such as, but not limited to, audio files that may containsongs, chants, phrases, slogans, images, or video clips.

An exemplary such embodiment may be wireless devices 100 having a numberof prerecorded songs such as, but not limited to, anthems of nationalsoccer teams. The devices may then use the method described above tolink to other wireless devices set to the same song so that, forinstance, two supporters of a particular football team walking into abar or restaurant and coming within in wireless contact of each other,may have their wireless devices both begin playing that anthem, makingthem realize they are in the presence of another supporter of the sameteam. Such devices may, for instance, be of considerable interest atinternational sporting events such as, but not limited to, world cupsoccer and other sport tournaments, the Olympic Games and any other suchevents. Such devices may also be tied to advertising in the form of, forinstance, sponsor jingles that accompany the anthems.

In FIG. 6, there is a visual representation of the EEPROM table 500. TheEEPROM table 500 may be divided into sections such as, but not limitedto, the two section: 1) the individual identifier 505 and 2) the grouptable 510.

In a preferred embodiment, the individual identifier 505 may be a 64 bitnumber associated with each wireless device. The individual identifier505 may also or instead include the serial number of the wirelessdevice. Alternatively, the individual identifier may be a distinctfactory assigned number embedded in the non-volatile memory.

Typically, the more extensive part of the EEPROM table 500 may be thesecond part or group table 510.

The group table 510 may, for instance, contain data such as, but notlimited to, an entry number 535 that may, for instance, be a record ofthe order in which the entries to the table were made, a status number515 that may, for instance, be indicative of whether this entry has astatus such as, but not limited to, that it is the beginning of thetable, that it is the final entry in the table, that it is an occupiedentry row, that it is a deleted entry row, or some combination thereof.The group table may further include number that may represent, or be, acolor number 520, a group ID 525 or a DIST number 530 or somecombination thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the entry 535 maysignify the order in which an individual entry in the EEPROM table 500was entered. The EEPROM table 500 preferably provides for using two bitsand therefore representing entry numbers from 0-15. However, inpractice, the entry number 535 of 0 is typically unused since thislocation in a non-volatile memory may experience corruptions if the userallows the battery voltage to drop below a certain level beforereplacing or charging the battery 50.

The color number 520 may, for instance, be one of up to 16 colors,though one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that thepossible number of colors used may depend on the number of bits used tostore the number and the amount of non-volatile memory available. Thecolor number 520 may, for instance, represent the current color in a 24bit format RGB format that may have 8 bits to represent the percentageof red, 8 bits to represent the percentage of green, and 8 bits torepresent the percentage of blue. Each color 520 may be associated witha particular entry 535 by, for instance, being in an associated row orcolumn.

The group ID 525 may also be stored in the EEPROM table and may beassociated with a particular color. This may, for instance, beaccomplished by storing a group ID on the same line as its associatedcolor 520. The group ID may be a number. In a preferred embodiment, thegroup ID may be a 32 bit hash that results from the combination of theindividual identifier 505 of one wireless device combined with the samefrom another wireless device, and the associated 24 bit color 520. Theresulting hash may be stored as the group ID 525 in the EEPROM table500.

The DIST 530 may be a measure of the distance that separates aparticular entry 535 from the original two creators of the associatedgroup ID 525. In a preferred embodiment, the DIST 530 may range from1-255 although one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that therange could be larger or smaller and may depend on the number of bitsassigned to represent it, and on the amount of non-volatile memoryavailable to store it. A DIST 530 of 0 may be reserved for purposes suchas, but not limited to, testing.

The status 515 may keep track of information associated with each entry535. The status 515 may, for instance, identify a history of each entrysuch as, but not limited to, whether it is occupied, deleted, the firstentry in the table, the last entry in the table or some combinationthereof. The status 515 may also or instead aid in keeping track of theoverall size and usage of the EEPROM table 500.

Typically, the wireless devices may join groups based on the individualidentifiers and colors.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the wireless devicesmay also provide for phase synchronization between the devices. Eachbroadcast message may, for instance, be contain a phase accumulator thatmay be a 12 bit phase accumulator. Each device may also have a 16 bitphase increment value associated with it that may be in a format suchas, but not limited to, a 1.15 format. At predetermined intervals, suchas, but not limited to, approximately every 1 ms, the phase incrementmay be added to the phase accumulator. The phase accumulator mayrepresent the instantaneous phase of the wireless device. When a packetfor the “current group” is received the difference between the receivedphase and the transmitted phase may be recorded in the EEPROM table 500.These difference values may be compared by, for instance, processingthem with a clustering algorithm to create an average difference value.This average difference value may then be used to adjust theinstantaneous phase of the phase accumulator. In this manner two or morewireless devices that may belong to the same group, may each developphase accumulator values that more closely match each other over time.

This phase accumulator value may, for instance, be used to providesynchronization of the LED 35 blinking patterns. In a preferredembodiment, the period for LED 35 synchronization may be about fourseconds. The “current groups” message may also be sent approximatelyevery four seconds. As the convergence rate for the algorithm maytypically be about 11 messages, the convergence time may be about 44seconds.

FIG. 7 A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the wirelessdevice 100 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 B shows a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 A.

In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the wireless device 100 may have a housing 600 thatcontains the internal components. These internal components may, forinstance, include a power source that may, for instance, be a battery,one or more printed circuit boards, preinstalled firmware, and atransceiver. The shape of the housing 600 may be varied to conform tothe intended use and purpose for which the invention is being employed.

The housing 600 may also serve as a platform for one or more externalcomponents. The external components of the wireless device 100 mayinclude one or more depressible buttons 610 that may be used to initiateinteractions or respond to requests from other similar devices.

In some instances, the power source may be rechargeable, and this may befacilitated by one or more charging ports 625. The charging port 625 maypermit connection to a number of different devices including walloutlets and laptop computers through a USB connection to charge theinternal power source. In order to further preserve the device's powersource there may also a slidable on/off switch 605. The slidable on/offswitch 605 may change the operative state of the device and may havemore than two states. The output 620 may take a number of forms. Thesemay include auditory, visual, or tactile responses or some combinationthereof. These alternate outputs may be facilitated by attached devicessuch as, but not limited to, an audio speaker, a video screen or somecombination thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the output 620 may be an LED that may, forinstance, be located under one of the depressible buttons 610. Theposition of the output 620 may be varied and may be located independentof the depressible buttons 610 or other features of the device. Theoutputs 620 may also include combinations of responses including aresponse that is both auditory and visual in nature. In a preferredembodiment, the wireless device 100 may have a housing 600 with anattached ring that may be sized to appropriately fit around a variety ofobjects such as, but not limited to, a user's wrist. The device may, forinstance, be worn or attached to another item such as, but not limitedto, a backpack or a hat for a customized enhancement. The wirelessdevice may take a number of differing shapes and sizes to fit a numberof applications.

The wireless device 100 may be contained on or within the housing 600which may be worn directly, or it may be a part of a more complex systemthat may, for instance, be include wireless communication with otherdisplay or sound producing devices such as, but not limited to, atelevision, a laptop computer, a smartphone, a pad, or some combinationthereof. These auxiliary devices may, for instance, be used to augmentthe display or auditory aspects of the devices. Instead of, or inaddition to, blinking LED lights, group recognition may, for instance,be used to initiate an action such as, but not limited to, the playingof a song, a portion of a song or a slogan; the display of an image or avideo clip, or some combination thereof.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention. The wireless device 100 has a housing 600. Thehousing 600 has at least two depressible buttons 610. The depressiblebuttons 610 bear varying functionality including a color outputselection, game selection, synchronization, and mode selection. Theexact function can vary between depressible buttons 610 and some buttons610 may have multiple functionality. The housing 600 further has anembedded display 700, which is preferably a liquid crystal display. Theembedded display 700 can display various colors, images, and animationsor a combination thereof. When not actively being used the embeddeddisplay 700 should display the time 720. A power switch 605 is locatedon a portion of the housing that changes the operative state of thewireless device 100. If, and when the wireless device 100, needs to berecharged there is a universal serial bus port 625 that can be employedfor such purpose.

A coupling mechanism 710 is used to secure the wireless device 100 to asecondary body including but not limited to a backpack, hat, shoe,glove, or wrist. The coupling mechanism 710 and embedded display 700 mayeach have the same lighting output or have differing lighting outputs orno lighting capabilities at all. It may be desirable to have suchlighting flash in synchronization.

A user can interact with the wireless device 100 in a number of ways.Generally, the wireless device 100 can function as a watch or ornamentalpiece when passively adorning a secondary body. During this passive“mode” the lighting outputs may or may not be active. When actively beused and interacted with, the wireless device 100 can become a socialgaming device. A user is able to select various games that comeinstalled in the preinstalled firmware. Additionally, via the universalserial bus port 625, more games may be downloaded from the internet. Insome instances, this downloading will require a nominal fee. The gamesare based on the methodologies and capabilities described above.

In order to select one of the game features a user uses one of thedepressible buttons 610 to select the game mode. From there a menu ofgames can be accessed through the embedded display 700 and selectedusing the depressible buttons 610. Once a game has been selected,instructions may appear on the embedded display 700 and the device mayperform certain functionalities such as automatically dividing playersinto various groups or teams, assigning a player a partner, and dividingplayers based on those who are located in the general vicinity. Thegames can be played with groups of players or some games may be able tobe played by solo players. The RFID and/or RSSI functionality asdiscussed above is integral to the success of many of the gamesassociated with the wireless devices 100. This enables a number ofwireless devices 100 to know, spatially, where any other device is inproximity to a particular device. Thus, games like “tag” and any otherproximity based games will operate as described below with suchfunctionality. Further, based on the device's understanding of the otherproximally located devices, the wireless devices 100 can also randomlydivide players on to a particular team instantaneous, removing thetraditional playground alternate teammate picking format. Examples ofvarious interactive multiplayer games include:

“Zombie Tag.” The players select “zombie tag” from their on screen menu.Once the game has been selected, a countdown timer or start button willstart the game. One player's wireless device 100 will begin to blink ina particular color, for example, red. The remaining players will havewireless devices blinking a unitary color, for example, green. Theplayer whose wireless device 100 is blinking red begins to chase theplayers whose wireless devices 100 are blinking green. Once the playerwith the red blinking wireless device 100 comes within the predeterminedrange of another player, as determined by the included RFID and/or RSSIcapabilities, their wireless device 100 begins blinking red instead ofgreen. That player has now become “infected” and helps the other redteam members chase the green team members. The last remaining playerwith a green blinking wireless device 100 wins.

“The Perfect Wave.” The players select “the perfect wave” from their onscreen menu. Each of the wireless devices 100 then begins intermittentlyblinking, while a timer begins counting down to zero on the embeddeddisplay 700. Each of the players has to organize themselves in a circlebased on the timing of their blinking wireless device 100. In order towin, the blinking of the lights must be coordinated to travel around thecircle in a continuous wave before the timer reaches zero. The wirelessdevices 100 automatically understand where each player is in relation toanother and at what interval the other lights are blinking.

“Human Twister.” The players select “human twister” from their on screenmenu and the game begins. The wireless devices 100 begin by blinkingseveral colors, where each of the players with the same blinking colormust touch one another. All of the sudden, the blinking lights changecolor. Quickly, everyone must now touch someone blinking the new colorwhile remaining in contact with the previous player. A timer maycountdown on the embedded display 700 as to the amount of time a playerhas to make a new contact. The game is over when someone loses theirbalance and falls or someone fails to touch a new contact within theprescribed time limit.

“Red Light, Green Light.” The players select “red light, green light”from their on screen menus. The players determine the start point andthe end point to which people must run from and to. When your wirelessdevice 100 turns green, you begin to run. If it turns yellow, you mustwalk. If the wireless device 100 turns red, you must stop moving. Thefirst player to reach the end point wins.

“Human Tic-Tac-Toe.” The players select “human tic-tac-toe” from theiron screen menus. The embedded display 700 has a timer which counts downto zero as the wireless devices 100 generate random colors. Players withthe same color must be in proximity, as determined by the wirelessdevices 100, to one another to have three matching colors in a rowbefore the timer reaches zero.

“Freeze Tag.” The players select “freeze tag” from their on screenmenus. The game begins with a number of players having their wirelessdevice 100 display one color, while at least one player has a differentcolor. The player(s) with the different color attempt to chase theothers and get close enough to cause their wireless device 100 todisplay the “other” color. This player must then stop and cannot run.Another player must come into proximity, as determined by the wirelessdevice 100, to allow the wireless device 100 to change colors allow theplayer to begin running again. The game ends with every player bearingone color, or the timer reaching zero.

The above games are only meant to be representative of the types ofgames that can be played with multiple players employing the wirelessdevice 100. Virtually any game that enables the game play of more thanone player may be envisioned to be compatible with the presentinvention. Additionally, some games may be able to be played by only oneplayer known as solitaire games.

“Solitaire Color Grab.” The player selects “solitaire color grab” fromtheir on screen menu. The embedded display 700 shows the player the“target color.” The player's embedded display 700 then begins rapidlyblinking in a number of different colors including the target color. Theplayer attempts to depress one of the depressible buttons 610 when thetarget color is displayed. If the player is correct, the player receivesa point. The game play can continue until they have reached a certainamount of points or they decide to quit.

“Pattern Solitaire.” The player selects “pattern solitaire” form theiron screen menu. The player's wireless device 100 begins to blink in aseries of colors. As quickly as it started, the blinking stops. Theplayer must then select the next color in the pattern. The player may beable to increase or decrease the difficulty level or adjust the numbercorrect needed to win the game.

“Solitaire Mastermind.” The player selects “solitaire mastermind” fromtheir on screen menu. The wireless device 100 is “thinking” of aselected number of colors, for example three different colors. Theplayer attempts to guess the colors and the order of the color pattern.By selecting a color, the wireless device 100, via the embedded display700, informs the player whether the color is correct and whether theguessed position of the color in the sequence is correct. Once theplayer has correctly deduced the sequence the game is over. To challengethemselves, the player may limit the amount of guesses they are affordedbefore the game is over.

The above games are only meant to be representative of the types ofgames that can be played with a single player employing the wirelessdevice 100. Virtually any game that enables the game play of one playermay be envisioned to be compatible with the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of the general methodology associated withpairing wireless devices. A user or users may first provide at least twowireless devices 800. The wireless devices may be all be the same orthere may be a number of different but compatible wireless devices thatmay have differing capabilities. Typically each wireless device may havean input channel, an output channel, a data processing unit, anon-volatile memory, and an individual identifier that is unique to eachwireless device.

The pairing methodology may continue by matching an output channelmessage associated with the one of the wireless devices to the outputchannel message associated with a second wireless device 810. This maybe achieved by inputting a first input message to a wireless device.This, in turn, may associate a next of a set of output messages with theoutput channel of that wireless device. The process may then bereplicated on a second wireless device. This process, may be repeateduntil the message associated with the output channel of the secondwireless device matches the message associated with the output of thefirst wireless device.

Third, this inputting of messages may result in the generation of agroup identifier 820. The generation process may, for instance, beinclude inputting a second message to both the first and the secondwireless devices while the two wireless devices are operative and withina communicative range with one another. The proximal placing of thedevices within this range may cause the individual identifiersassociated with each wireless device and the previously matched outputmessage to be operated on by a hash function. This hashing ofidentifiers may, for instance, be performed by a data processing unitthat may be a part of each of the wireless devices thereby generatingthe group identifier.

Finally, the devices may conclude the process by storing the newlyacquired data 830. The group identifier and other potential identifyinginformation may, for instance, be stored in a device's non-volatilememory. This information may be stored within an EEPROM table for easysorting and maintenance of the data. This storing step 830 may finalizethe pairing process.

While much of the focus of the pairing of the wireless devices hasfocused on the color output from each device, it is intended and wouldbe readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that there are manyoutputs that could be used in place of colors. For example, the wirelessdevices may have an output comprising any auditory, visual, or tactileresponse including various methods of haptic (tactile) feedback. Thus,two wireless devices may be paired through the above described processusing a ringtone or similar short musical tone(s). In some iterations,the devices will be capable of having multiple LEDs that work onconjunction to form images or particular responses such as shiftingimages when two paired items are brought within a working, communicativerange. The inherent functionality of the device does not change andnumerous iterations can be employed using the same data processingmethodologies.

Additionally, the wireless devices may be a part of items such as, butnot limited to, bracelets, wristbands, watches, clothing items such ashats, shirts, and shoes, electronic items such as phones, tablets,laptops, PDAs, and the like, and other accessories including but notlimited to glasses, sunglasses, backpacks, headphones, or somecombination thereof.

The communications range of the wireless device 100 may vary dependingon factors such as, but not limited to, the particular wirelesscommunication protocol used, the hardware available, the environmentthey are used in or some combination thereof. Depending on the finalform and intended usage of the devices, some protocol stacks may bepreferred over others. For example, some may permit the wireless devicesto have a greater range, but a shorter battery life.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure hasbeen made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of communication between at least twowireless devices, the method comprising: providing at least a first anda second wireless device, the first and the second wireless devicehaving at least a wireless transceiver, a display, and a non-transitorymemory, wherein the first wireless device contains first userinformation and the second wireless contains second user informationstored on the respective non-transitory memory; bringing the firstwireless device and the second wireless device within a predeterminedproximity to one another; comparing the first user information stored onthe first wireless device with the second user information stored on thesecond wireless device; rendering at least one result based on acomparison of the user information; and generating at least one responsevia the display of each of the first wireless device and the secondwireless device, wherein if the first user information on the firstwireless device shares a commonality with the second user information onthe second wireless device, then a first response is displayed via thedisplay; and wherein if the first user information on the first wirelessdevice does not share a commonality with the second user information onthe second wireless device, then a second response is displayed via thedisplay.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:storing the at least one result in the non-transitory memory of both thefirst and second wireless devices.
 3. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising the step of: synchronizing the response of the at least twowireless devices with other wireless devices sharing the at least oneresult.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one response is avisual, auditory, or tactile response, or any combination thereof. 5.The method of claim 4 wherein the at least one response is a visualresponse comprising at least one light having at least one color.
 6. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising a third wireless device wherein thebringing through storing step is performed with any combination of thethree wireless devices.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the firstwireless device and the second wireless device are wristbands.
 8. Amethod of communication between at least a first wristband and a secondwristband, the method comprising: providing at least a first and asecond wristband, the first and the second wristband each having atleast a wireless transceiver, at least one light source, and anon-transitory memory, wherein each of the first wristband and thesecond wristband contains user information stored on the non-transitorymemory; bringing the first wristband and the second wristband within apredetermined proximity to one another; comparing the user informationstored on the first wristband and the second wristband; rendering atleast one result based on a comparison of the user information;generating at least one response via the at least one light source ofeach of the first wristband and the second wristband, wherein the atleast one response is based on the at least one result; and storing theat least one result in the non-transitory memory of both the first andsecond wristbands; wherein if the user information on the firstwristband shares a commonality with the user information on the secondwristband, then a first response is displayed via the at least one lightsource; and wherein if the user information on the first wristband doesnot share a commonality with the user information on the secondwristband, then a second response is displayed via the at least onelight source.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the first responsecorresponds to at least one first light color and the second responsecorresponds to at least one second light color.
 10. The method of claim9 wherein the first response and the second response comprise at leastone different light color.
 11. The method of claim 8 wherein the firstwristband and the second wristband communicate via a wireless meshnetwork.
 12. The method of claim 8 wherein the commonality is anumerical identifier.
 13. The method of claim 8 wherein the firstresponse is an illuminated light source, and the second response is anon-illuminated light source.
 14. A wireless communication systemcomprising: a first wristband having at least a first wirelesstransceiver and at least one first light source, wherein the firstwristband is associated with a first user; a second wristband having atleast a second wireless transceiver and at least one second lightsource, wherein the second wristband is associated with a second user;at least one non-transitory memory having at least first userinformation and second user information stored thereon; wherein bringingthe first wristband and the second wristband within a predeterminedproximity to one another results in a comparing of the first userinformation and the second user information stored on the at least onenon-transitory memory; wherein at least one response is generated viathe at least one first light source and the at least one second lightsource of each of the first wristband and the second wristband, the atleast one response being based on the comparison of the first userinformation and the second user information; and wherein a groupassociated with the first light source and the second light source andcomprising at least the first user and the second user is stored to theat least one non-transitory memory.
 15. The system of claim 14 whereinthe non-transitory memory is operably coupled to an electronic device.16. The system of claim 14 wherein the non-transitory memory is coupledto the first wristband and the second wristband.
 17. The system of claim14 wherein the group is associated with a particular light color.